SOLUTION-MEDIATED TRANSFORMATION OF OCTACALCIUM PHOSPHATE (OCP) TO APATITE

  • 1 March 1989
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 3  (1) , 129-138
Abstract
OCP crystals were hydrolyzed in solutions containing Ca2+, Mg2+, HPO42-, CO32-, F-, citrate or P2O7 ions. Products of hydrolysis were analyzed using scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. Results demonstrated that the OCP to Apatite (AP) transformation is influenced by: (1) types of ions in solution: inhibited by Mg2+, citrate or P2O74-; facilitated by F-, CO32-, HPO42- or Ca2+ ions; (2) ionic concentrations; (3) solution pH; (4) OCP crystal size. SEM showed needle-like micro-crystals on the surfaces and ends of OCP macrocrystals. TEM showed side-to-side and end-to-end arrangements and presence of central defects in the apatite crystals. IR spectra showed the incorporation of CO3, or HPO4, the HPO4 incorporation being least from F-containing solutions. These results suggest that OCP to AP transformation occurred by the process of dissolution of OCP and subsequent precipitation of Ca-deficient apatites, incorporating CO32-, HPO42- or F present in solution. These results indicate that the observed stability of OCP in pathological calcifications may be due to the presence of Mg2+, citrate and/or P2O724- and/or low levels of CO32-, F-, Ca2+, HPO472- ions in the biological fluids.